Red Plum Botanical Watercolor

Bring the rich, crimson warmth and minimalist elegance of late 19th-century American agricultural art into your living space with this exceptional vintage botanical print. Sourced from the historic United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Pomological Watercolor Collection, this striking illustration depicts the “Coletto” plum variety (Prunus domestica).

Featuring a vertical cascade of seven plump, ruby-red plums arranged in a graceful, stacked composition, this meticulously restored artwork is set against an open, naturally warm ivory background. It seamlessly merges classical botanical realism with a bold, contemporary graphic structure, creating a captivating focal point for any wall.

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The History: Commissioned between 1886 and 1942 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Division of Pomology, the Pomological Watercolor Collection was established to create an exhaustive, technically accurate visual register of fruit varieties across the nation before color photography became a reliable documentary tool. Over 7,500 watercolor masterworks were created by a talented corps of government illustrators—predominantly women artist-botanists such as Deborah Griscom Passmore, Amanda Almira Newton, and Mary Daisy Arnold. This exquisite study of the ‘Coletto’ plum variety captures a unique moment in American horticultural history, recording the diverse stone fruit cultivars being tested and grown for regional orchards. Today, the original watercolor is preserved in the permanent archives of the National Agricultural Library in Beltsville, Maryland.

The Aesthetic: A masterclass in color saturation and linear rhythm, this composition uses a striking vertical stack of seven whole plums to form an almost sculptural column of fruit. The artist masterfully layers deep crimson, scarlet, and dark cherry-red tones, capturing the soft, velvety sheen and natural speckled texture of the fruit skins. Slender brown stems accent the top and lower fruits, adding delicate organic details to the form. Set against a generous off-white backdrop that lets the intense red pigments pop, this high-contrast botanical print introduces a bold, modern yet timeless charm to contemporary decor.

It is an ideal statement piece for:

• Culinary enthusiasts, home chefs, orchardists, plant lovers, fruit growers, and collectors of vintage scientific diagrams and botanical watercolors.

• Modern kitchens, dining rooms, breakfast alcoves, wine bars, cafes, or as a vibrant vertical focal point on a curated gallery wall.

• Minimalist, Japandi, modern farmhouse, mid-century modern, or transitional interior design styles that value clean spaces paired with rich, saturated accents.

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Product Details

Artist: USDA Pomological Collection Artists

Title: Coletto Plums (Prunus domestica Study)

Subject: Antique Red Plum Watercolor and Archival USDA Study

Original Year: c. 1886–1916

Style: Early 20th-Century Scientific Watercolor / Vintage Botanical Fine Art

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Museum-Quality Vintage Prints

Our vintage posters are made to order using premium Giclée printing techniques. Every piece is printed on thick, heavyweight fine art paper (200gsm) with a smooth, completely matte finish.

We specifically source an acid-free, natural-toned paper that perfectly recreates the warmth and authentic character of original mid-century lithographs. Unlike standard glossy posters, our premium matte finish ensures there is zero glare when your artwork is framed behind glass, resulting in a rich, museum-quality display. Combined with long-lasting, UV-resistant pigment inks, your print is designed to remain vibrant for generations.